Vegetable Prices Spike in Mumbai as Monsoon Damage Hits Maharashtra's Crops

The unseasonal arrival of the monsoon and torrential rains across Maharashtra have caused severe damage to vegetable crops, especially leafy greens, resulting in a sharp spike in prices across wholesale and retail markets. Farmers are grappling with significant financial losses, while consumers in Mumbai and its suburbs are facing an increased burden on their daily grocery expenses.

Over the past week, continuous heavy rainfall has rotted a substantial portion of the leafy vegetable yield. The early onset of the monsoon in May has disrupted the usual farming cycle, leading to a reduction in the area under cultivation and a sharp drop in vegetable production. As a result, the overall supply of vegetables has diminished, while demand remains high, pushing prices upwards.

Spoilage rates have also surged due to rainwater accumulation and transport delays. Leafy vegetables, which are especially sensitive to moisture and temperature changes, are now perishing within just two days. In wholesale markets, such as the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Navi Mumbai, large quantities of leafy greens are being discarded due to spoilage. This market typically receives vegetable consignments from districts like Pune, Junnar, Ahmednagar, Satara, and Baramati.

The impact is clearly visible in retail prices. In Mumbai and surrounding suburbs, the cost of fenugreek has jumped from ₹15 to ₹40 per bunch. Spinach is now selling at ₹30 per bunch, while coriander, which was previously available at ₹10, is now priced at ₹50. These steep increases have forced many households to cut down on green vegetables in their meals.

Other vegetables have not been spared either. Prices of cabbage, capsicum, cauliflower, potatoes, and okra have risen by ₹10 to ₹20. Meanwhile, the price of onions has escalated so dramatically that it has brought tears—literally and figuratively—to the eyes of the common man.

The combination of crop loss, high spoilage, and increasing transport costs continues to strain both ends of the supply chain. With the monsoon season just beginning, further challenges may lie ahead for both farmers and consumers.